Won One, Drew One....

By CCFC Sid
September 28 2004

Another poor display, but at least we won this time - with a Ronaldinho style fluke beating SW! And a trip up North to Middlesboro is our reward .... while Saturday saw a decent draw at SW's neighbours SU.

The sacking of Chris Turner failed to have the desired effect (As managerless teams usually get a result), though SW did put in a display that must have encouraged soon-to-be new boss Paul Sturrock, sitting in the stands.

For CCFC, again it was the youngsters who shone through, with Steele, Mills, and debutant Giddings, all putting in noteworthy displays - the latter offering so many qualities that the obstruction to his place in the first team doesn't have. He made one goal-line clearnace early on to deny the visitors a lead, and looked equally as competent when going forward too ('Grandpa Shaw' also made a last-ditch challenge early on to stop CCFC going behind).

The games only goal was a carbon copy of the 'fluke' that saw Reading beat CCFC at Highfield Road last season, after 50 years of trying, with Doyle's floated free-kick, some 30+ yards out, and right on the touch-line, eluding everybody and sneaking past Lucas in the SW goal. Caretaker boss Mark Smith disputed the awarding of the free-kick, wrongly (As Barrett was clearly shoved by a defender), and SW's players disputed the goal, claiming Stern John was offside - wrong again! Definitely onside when the ball was played....

Minutes later Wednesday were reduced to 10 men following a shocking challenge by Whelan on Mills - again disputed by temporary boss Mark Smith. Again, TV replays showed the referee called it exactly right, and also showed that had Mills leg been on the floor as the challenge went in, a Dave Busst, career ending injury could have been on the cards. Not content with that, the same player then stamped on Mills as he moved away from the situation....

Jorgensen finally made it on the pitch in a CCFC shirt, replacing Barrett at half-time, and minutes after coming on should have scored - and probably would have had Suffo not got in his way, missed, and in doing so challenged Ronny Rosenthal for the 'Worst Miss Ever In Football Award'. Jorgensen's original shot saw Lucas pull off a superb save, but the task of netting the rebound, and doubling the lead, was wasted. Jorgensen blew a fuse and shoved Suffo, before letting off a verbal volley!

Gudjonsson endured another poor game (Though he wasn't alone in this!), with one shot more likely to worry the cars on Swan Lane than Lucas in the SW goal! His effort could have proved costly, as, in the 62nd minute Wednesday had a big shout for a penalty turned down - though TV replays showed that (a) there was no foul, and (b) the player so horrendously brought down, was clearly looking for it.

Andy Whing also made it onto the pitch later on (Replacing Giddings, who received a standing ovation), getting rapturous applause from the CCFC fans amongst the crowd of just over 8,300. Minutes later he made it into the referee's note-book for a foul!

With virtually the last kick of the match, SW hit the outside of the post, and, despite a poor performance, CCFC were applauded from the pitch.

The second part of the Sheffield double saw CCFC take a decent away point against United - though it could/should have been more.

CCFC's third home league draw on the trot was the most satisfying of the three - though having thrown away a two-goal lead against Gillingham, and having failed to beat rock-bottom Rotherham, I guess there wasn't much competition for that top spot!

Morgan hit the bar early on for SU, but it was CCFC who took the lead, with Andy Morrell scoring again after 14 minutes. CCFC had chances to increase their lead, and thought they had done soon after, but the referee ruled out what even some SU fans thought was a good goal, claiming the ball was moving when a free-kick was taken (By SU keeper Kenny). This was to prove costly for CCFC....

A poor offside decision also denied CCFC the chance to add to their lead before SU scored, and it appeared that the referee was wearing a SU shirt under his own kit. His decision to finally give a decision in CCFC's favour (Later on in the match) saw sarcastic applause from Peter Reid! The CCFC boss saying in the after-match interview that he would be fining himself a three figure sum (Believed to be £1.50) for setting a bad example to his players!

Richard Shaw had an immense game at the back for CCFC, but could do nothing about Tommy Black's debut goal for SU after 29 minutes. Carey was beaten with ease, and Black moved in front of Staunton to head home. Staunton left the pitch after an hour (Sadly, 32 minutes to late), with Whing replacing him. Later on Suffo replaced Wood (75 minutes), and received a generous round of applause - from Sheffield United supporters!

Sheffield United finished the stronger of the two sides, and a superb save from Steele denied them an undeserved win, while a poor Barrett miss denied CCFC the chance to steal all three points. Neil Warnock was left wondering just how his SU side hadn't won the match (Even complainging that one of his players, Tonge, hadn't dived in the area when the chance arose) - with my guess being because his team scored the same amount of goals as the opposition....